Taxi driver faces charges after fight

On behalf of Marianne Bertuna of Aidala Bertuna & Kamins posted in Violent Crimes on Friday August 24, 2018.

A 25-year-old woman was taken into custody after an altercation between a taxi driver and two other people. Authorities in Brooklyn say that they believe it began when the woman’s taxi was cut off by a Nissan SUV. Authorities say that the woman fought with a man and woman, and the victims were treated at the scene of the scuffle. After the fight, the driver of the taxi got back into her cab and struck the SUV while two children were inside.

The 11-year-old and 2-week-old were unharmed in the crash. Authorities also say that the cab struck a UPS vehicle as well as another car. The driver of the taxi was charged with assault, criminal mischief and reckless endangerment. According to the Taxi and Limousine Commission (TLC), the driver’s license was suspended after the accident. Furthermore, the TLC says that the woman had her license suspended previously, but it had been reinstated.

The previous suspension occurred after she had hit a passenger with a cell phone at LaGuardia Airport. However, the TLC was forced to reinstate her license after she received a plea deal that led to the charges being dismissed in that case. The woman is also scheduled to attend a hearing related to complaints of overcharging customers who rode in her cab.

The penalties for an assault or another violent crime may be significant. Defendants may spend time in jail or on probation if convicted, and they may also have to pay a fine in addition to court costs and other fees. An attorney may be able to create a defense to a criminal charge to help an individual obtain a favorable outcome. Defenses may include asserting that an individual was acting in self-defense or that there was no intent to cause bodily injury.